The successful signing of Dominik Szoboszlai could define Liverpool’s season. In speaking with the player’s former coach Rene Maric, we look at the qualities he brings and the tactical role he could fill in Jürgen Klopp’s new midfield…
The long awaited overhaul of Liverpool’s midfield has arrived. The experience of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho is lost. But the focus is on what Jurgen Klopp’s team could win. Now there is energy and entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of the field.
Alexis Mac Allister is a celebrity well known to the Premier League crowd. The World Cup winner will take control in midfield and can also cover the pitch. But it’s the chance to pair him with newcomer Dominik Szoboszlai that is so intriguing.
This £60m signing from RB Leipzig brings something new, but perhaps also something old. The initial success that Klopp brought to Anfield was based on high intensity play. Szoboszlai, 22, can do it. “He’s incredibly athletic,” Rene Maric told Sky Sports.
“His physical performance is very consistent if you look at his stats. If you look at his eye test matches, you can see he’s not showing anything defensively, he’s not running 40 yards on his own.” don’t stop backtracking either. He wins duels.”
Maric worked under Szoboszlai as a young teenager at Red Bull Salzburg and followed his rise to the first team, where the Austrian coach was Marco Rose’s assistant. The principles of pressing were instilled in the player from an early age.
But the work ethic has always been there.
“We had a session in the morning or on a day off and I was working in the office and you were watching and he was on the pitch taking those great free kicks. It’s a mix of talent, but also a lot of hard work. It shows his character.
“When you know a player from a young age, you know that at 15 or 16 he’s going to change a lot, but to see the physical change in him. He’s so much bigger and he’s kept that, like.” Can I express this in English, this very positive arrogance?
“He always knew he could become world class and now you can see he really believes that. But beyond that you can always see he’s someone who loves to play football, someone ‘one who likes to work hard.’ I think that combination is great.”
There have already been previews. Three goals in pre-season came from his corner kicks. “He will be a threat from set pieces.” A daring try near the halfway line against Leicester. “He has one of the best ball-striking skills in the world.”
His ability to open up the defense with something else will please Klopp. The Liverpool boss said after the first pre-season friendly that Trent Alexander-Arnold was being pushed too far to make a difference. Szoboszlai can do that too.
“It depends on how they use him, but his talent is incredible,” says Maric. “He’s very good with the ball. He’s still a footballer at heart. That means he’s someone who wants to take the ball, who has the mentality of being able to solve one-on-one problems. .”
The question of where Szoboszlai will play for Liverpool is an interesting one. Given he swung to the right for Leipzig last season, with Mac Allister often occupying that half-space in the left channel, both men seemed perfectly suited for these advanced roles.
But Klopp switched to Szoboszlai on the left in the first pre-season games. His flexibility, his ability to feel comfortable in wider positions than Mac Allister could be the explanation, as it allows Luis Diaz or Diogo Jota to break through in key areas.
Such a hybrid role is unusual for a Liverpool midfielder, but Szoboszlai is well suited to it. The position must allow him to isolate himself from defenders but also encourage him to push in areas where he can shoot or choose the last pass. Maric thinks Szoboszlai is capable of playing this role. “If used well I think he can play one-on-one on the wing, but that’s not his best position to stay and play one-on-one, I think. there are other players for that,” he explained.
“If they play him as an inside 10 or as an 8 who can come out when he needs to or when the situation calls for it, if they use him like that, it’s just his talent, his potential and at how complete it is.” It really makes him a fascinating prospect as a player.
“He can rock your ball, your ball possession and your circulation with his ability to turn away from pressure while finding a good pass. I expected him to go to Newcastle.” Liverpool grabbed him and it was a smart move. I think it’s a great buy.”
It’s the mix that will be key. Szoboszlai has the technique to take Liverpool’s game to the next level in possession and the physicality to deliver what is required in possession. Klopp’s greatest midfielder also missed the first. The latest version has lost the latest.
“When he’s on fire he can hit an attacker from 25 yards or play a very creative last ball,” concludes Maric. “But even if he’s having a bad day, he’ll give you a defensive base, which I think is very important for the style of Liverpool and Klopp.”
The long-awaited makeover of the Liverpool midfielder has arrived.
